Device for the exhaust of the steam from locomotive engines



A ril 26, 1932.

M. LEMAITRE Filed Aug. 50, 1929 Fig.4.

Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNIT SATS

MAURICE LEMAITRE, OF MARCINELLE, BELGIUM DEVICE FOR THE EXHAUST OF THE STEAM FROM LOGOMO'I'IVE ENGINES Application filed August 30, 1929, Serial No. 389,529, and in Belgium August 31, 1928.

The present invention relates to a device for the exhaust of the steam'trom locomotive steam engines, that is to say, a device or ap-' paratus which 18 fixed to the free extremity of the exhaust pipe and by means of which the exhaust steam enters the smoke box of the boiler.

In such cases, where the locomotive is provided with several funnels it will have as many such devices it has chimneys.

In this case, the invention relates to each of the devices for the exhaust, that is to say to each device which terminates the exhaust pipe corresponding to each funnel.

Exhaust devices are already known which comprise a nozzle terminating the exhaust pipe, the said nozzle being in some cases divided into several parts or divisions by means of dividing walls or partitions.

Various types of devices are also known, by means of which a much better subdivision of the steam jet obtained and by means of which the exhaust steam is forced into the smoke box in the form of several jets.

According, however, to the present invention, the nozzles fixed at the free end of the exhaust pipes, and by means of which the steam enters the smoke box in the form of several jets, are separated and at a certain distance from one another, so as'to leave on the inside of the crown or bunchthat they form, as well as in the interior of the crown or bunch of steam jets, spaces which are free of steam, to which the smoke has easy access by passing between the nozzles.

Experience shows that this device allows a greater cross section of free space for the issue of the steam, and yet, notwithstanding this fact, the same amount of draft is obtallied, and it thus becomes possible to obtain a much lower exhaust pressure at the cylinder exhaust ports than the exhaust pressure obtainable with the known exhaust devices, a fact which, all other conditions being equal, increases the output and the efficiency of the. locomotive.

It has already been proposed for the fact of achieving the same result and obtaining thus the same advantages, to interpolate between the exhaust device proper and the funnel a great number of devices of various kinds, the purpose of which was to subdivide the single jet flowing through them, and several of these devices comprise several nozzles arranged at a certain distance from one another, and thus providing an interspace between themselves which is free of steam, to which spaces the smoke or the combustion gases have access by passing between the nozzles.

These devices, however, are offering on the one hand a great resistance to the exhaust fiow of the steam, because the latter has already attained by its expansion at the mouth or outlet orifice of the exhaust a considerable kinetic energy, and on the other hand this expansion itself is much less efficiently made use of for the induction to flow of the smoke.

For the purpose of being able to regulate the amount of smoke able to pass between the nozzles the apparatus or device is according to the invention either provided with a sleeve surrounding the whole group of nozzles, and the position or" which can be regulated in relation to the latter for instance by means of displacing it in the mean direction of the group of nozzles, or by admitting a certain variable quantity of steam into the interspace between the individual nozzles.

Other details and characteristic features 8 will be mentioned in the course of the clescription of the drawings annexed to the present specification.

These drawings show a few of the constructional forms, as diagrams and possible examples.

Figures 1 and 2 show a device for the exhaust according to the invention, in perspective partially in section and with the sleeve for regulating the amount of smoke passing between the nozzles in two different positions.

Figure 3 shows a device for controlling or adjusting the above mentioned sleeve.

Figure 4 shows also in perspective and partially in section another embodiment of adevice for the regulation of the quantity of smoke passing between the nozzles.

In referring to Figure 1, the device comprises a steamexhaust pipe 2, which is provided at one end with a certain number of nozzles 3, arranged in a bunch or crown, and which are separated from one another in such a manner that the smoke or combustion gases, in the smoke box, into which the steam exhaust device has been fixed, can easily completely surround these nozzles by following the path shown by the arrows in Figure 1. They can thus have ample and easy access to the central steam free space which exists at the interior of the crown or bunch formed by the nozzles. I

For the purpose of being able to regulate the quantity of smoke or combustion gases passing between the nozzles there is provided according to the invention in the constructional form shown in Figures 1 and 2- a sleeve l which surrounds the nozzles 23 and is mounted in such a manner that its position can be adjusted or yaried in relation to the nozzles.

The above mentioned sleeve l consists of a cylindrical ring which can be displaced in the direction of the centre line of the nozzles, for instance, until it reaches the position shown in Figure 2.

Vhen the sleeve 4: reaches this latter position it is impossible for the combustion gases or smoke to reach the central space in the interior of the nozzle, by reason that the individual jets of the exhaust steam issuing from these nozzles reunite immediately above the sleeve 4. The gases are then only carriedalong or induced by the exterior surface of the steam jets.

For the purpose of being able to displace or adjust the sleeve 4. in the manner mentioned above, it is sufiicient to provide a control member of any kind whatever which is ecessible from the drivers platform, and which may, for instance consist of a lever 5 actuating a bell crank lever (5 one of the arms of which is provided with a slot or groove (is into which a pin or button la engages, which isfixed to the sleeve 4;.

It would, however, also be possible to provide in place of the devices shown inthe preceding figures, an arrangement to fill the space between the nozzles with steam for the purpose of preventing access of the smoke or combustion gases to the -nterior of the crown or bunch of nozzles.

This steam may be admitted by opening an orifice 7 which is provided between the nozzles 3 and which would, for the purpose of closing it, be provided with a valve 7a, which could be operated in any desired manner from the outside.

'The space in the interior of the crown formed by the nozzle being more or less filled with steam, the quantity otsmoke or combustion gases able to pass through it would thus be correspondingly reduced. Moreover this additional opening 7 would have the effect of increasing the cross sectional area for the passage of steam and achieves thus in addition to the effect just mentioned, the usual advantages appertaining to an exhaust variable by means of altering the cross sectional area of the steam passage.

It is of course evident that the invention is not strictly limited to the constructional forms mentioned, and that numerous modificat-ions may be made in the form, shape and arrangement of the component parts suitable for carrying the invention without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. It may be combined with any or all known devices such as the petticoats, the Kilala blowers, etc.

What I claim is:

1. A device for the exhaustof the steam of locomotive engines, comprising aplurality of nozzles adapted to direct the exhaust into the smoke box of the boiler and grouped to provide a steam free space therebetween for the passage of the combustion gases inthe smoke box and adjustable means to prevent at times the combustion gases entering the said steam free space.

2. A device for the exhaust of the steam of locomotive engines, comprising a plurality of nozzles arran ed to provide a free space centrally thereof for the combustion gases in the boiler smoke box and manually operable valve means to permit of the exhaust steam entering the free space to regulate the amount of combustion gases entering the free space.

3. A device for the exhaust of the steam of locomotive engines, comprising in combination with the steam exhaust pipe of the locomotive engine positioned in the smoke box thereof, a plurality of nozzles grouped to provide a free space therebetween, the grouped nozzles being provided with an opening disposed centrically thereof, and valve means operable to open or close the opening disposed centrally of the nozzles to regulate the amount of combustion gases entering the free space between the same.

In testimony thereof I have hereunto signed my name.

MAURICE LEMAITRE. 

